That reimbursed the force for its work during the hurricane, which caused devastation on the islands last September, which was not originally budgeted for.

For comparison, the cost of sending Cleveland Police officers to support South Yorkshire Police for Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough was £9,831.90.

Co-ordinated by the National Police Co-ordination Centre (NPoCC), the Home Office, Ministry of Defence and forces as part of mutual aid provision, the officers helped local police enforce a curfew put in place to prevent looting and gun crime.

Cleveland Police's Middlesbrough HQ (Image: Evening Gazette)

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Following the devastation of Hurricane Irma, three Cleveland Police officers, alongside others from across the country, were deployed in September for a month to the British Virgin Islands to help in the aftermath, to help the remaining members of the local police force maintain law and order, and to provide public reassurance.

“A curfew had to be put in place following looting and gun crime incidents. The majority of the arrests the Cleveland officers made were for drink driving, drugs offences, breaching the curfew and the possession of offensive weapons."

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She added: “The officers shared rooms in a hotel that had been badly damaged by the hurricane, certain sections had no roof and the small pool had to be used as a well. And while the conditions were bad for the police officers, it was nothing compared to what local people had to face.

“There were officers that had moved into stations, as much to serve the public as for shelter as they had lost their homes.

“The officers did charity work in their down time and helped with two school re-developments, assisted the British Red Cross with deliveries and raised money for a street kitchen that was set up to feed local children.”